Shopping & Style

Best Places To Buy Mother’s Day Gifts In Washington DC

Mother’s Day is right around the corner. Surprise your mom with a gift that shows how greatly appreciated she is. Gifts don’t have to break the bank – a little thought goes a long way. Ponder what it is that brings your mom joy, and try to follow that path. These DC stores are here to help you in finding the perfect present for your mom on her special day. It only comes once a year, so make it count.

“Chocolate Moose has been in business for 35 years, owned by two sisters, Barbara and Marcia Levi. Kind of a mini department store, it carries cards, gifts, chocolates, clothing, jewelry, toys and more,” said manager Beth Lehnert. For the mom who appreciates comfort and style, the store has a beautiful selection of velvet and silk slippers in bright colors – all under $50. There is a collection of rainbow-hued resin necklaces from the Philadelphia Museum of Art that are trendy yet rare. Chocolate Moose is filled with cool and unusual items, making it nearly impossible to walk out empty handed. Lenhert says Chocolate Moose is unlike any other store in DC. “Everything in it is hand selected for its uniqueness, quality and visual appeal. You won’t find our stuff in every other store. The merchandise runs the gamut of classy to funky. Our customers will come in almost every week to see what new stuff we have in. The merchandise changes all the time and the owners are always on the prowl for the newest of the new.

For nearly three decades, Politics & Prose has served the DC area as a premiere independent bookstore and cultural hub. Books are a wise gift, as they usually serve a purpose and will never be considered old fashioned. “Our children and teens department is the perfect place to find a Mother’s Day gift that mom can share with the kids. Upstairs, we have fiction and non-fiction books any woman—mother or otherwise—can appreciate, and our staff is always eager to help customers pick the perfect book. We also sell Wonder Woman journals and accessories (because all women are superheroes), Smart Women trays, cups, coasters and an adorable tea towel made by Meri Meri—all of which make great gifts for moms,” said Lacey Dunham, Director of Marketing for Politics & Prose. Dunham recommends the Book-A-Month program as a considerate gift that continues to give. “Book-A-Month is an easy way to buy a unique gift for someone. Each month (or every other month), our staff hand selects a book based on the information you provide about the reader (interests, hobbies, favorite books and favorite authors). Each book is gift wrapped and mailed to the recipient.”

It’s hard to walk out empty handed when popping into the Preppy Pink Pony. Gifts galore, there is a lot to take in, so visit with time to spare. The PPP truly has something for everyone. For a mom who enjoys travel, purchase a Toss or Scout travel tote. Monogramming will make any Mother’s Day present exceptionally personalized and the PPP will monogram anything possible upon request. For the mother who enjoys entertaining, consider monogramming the hand-painted valet or serving trays.

Tabletop is a vibrant home accessory and gift shop in Dupont Circle, located right off the metro. Gifts range in price from $10 to $250. “We really focus on offering gifts that will add joy to people’s lives. We are truly local and try to find products that offer solutions with great design for the needs of our customers. We believe strongly that shopping should be fun and try to create an environment that is comfortable and enjoyable,” said storeowner Daphne Olive. Accessorize your mother this Mother’s Day with Tabletop’s fresh fashion accessories. For the tree hugger mom, consider leaf earrings or a framed branch pendant necklace. For the mom on the go, Olive claims an Orla Kiely handbag is ideal because of the beautiful designs that serve as an elegant handbag for nights out, but also the shoulder strap for fashionable moms who need free hands while running after kids. Browsing the plentiful funny greeting cards and delicious cookbooks while shopping is a must.

If your mother takes pride in her closet, and who doesn’t, The Lemon Twist is a must-visit. The clothing is fairly priced and comes in a wide variety of styles and sizes, from preppy designers like Vera Bradley, Vineyard Vines and Lilly Pulitzer. Accessories include jewelry, purses and shoes to harmonize any outfit. The boutique offers stellar customer service, with someone available to guide you through what’s new and what’s trending in the store. There is a store in Arlington and Chevy Chase.

Kelly Johnston is a freelance writer living in D.C. She graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in Fashion Retail and Merchandising and a minor in Journalism. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.